Buzzin Disgrace

Dean Lee, a 23-year-old, speeding, uninsured driver talking on his mobile phone, ploughed into Lynn Graham as she was riding her horse.

Lynn, 53-years-old, suffered a broken neck, punctured lung, fractured pelvis, three broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder, her beloved horse Friendly, died at the spot.

The Prosecutor Louise Pinder, described the accident, “It was around midday when another motorist saw the defendant driving a Volvo at between 50 and 60 mph, in excess of the speed limit at Minchinhampton Common, Gloucestershire, and clearly talking on his mobile phone.”

Lee pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, to driving without due care and attention and to using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Lynn Graham’s life has been “utterly destroyed” by what happened that day and “She said in a victims statement, that the accident had robbed her of her standard of life.”  She now walks with a crutch, cannot do her own hair, dress or shower herself.

Defending was Graham Wallis, who said “My client tenders his deep remorse and apologies to the victim.”

“As a van driver, if banned then he will lose his job.  Any compensation will be subject to separate civil proceedings.”

Andrew Hedges, Chairman of the bench said “Your driving on that day was atrocious - you were driving at speed and while using a mobile phone.  As a man who drives for a living you should have known better.”

Lee was banned from driving for 1 year, fined £500, ordered to take an extended driving test at the end of his ban and to pay prosecution costs of £60.

Outside the Court, Lynn Graham said “He has taken my life away and my good horse.”

“If banned then he would lose his job”, Good, I can’t believe any employer would want to have him driving their van’s with his record and I shouldn’t think his present employers will want to keep his job open for 1 year.  He should be banned from driving for life, he should never be allowed on any road again.

How could he possibly have got away with that!  It was presumably proved that he was speeding, was talking on his hand-held mobile phone and had no insurance, so what am I missing?  How the hell did he walk free?  He’s only £560 poorer for practically crippling this woman and killing her horse, unbelievable!

A very small price to pay for what he has put Ms. Graham and her family through.  How can it be called an accident, speeding by accident, talking on his phone while driving with one hand, presumably, by accident and no insurance of course, by accident!  It would be interesting to know exactly how much compensation will actually be paid to the victim, because I’m sure it will be nowhere near enough.

He should be in prison, where is the justice!